Anyone have any good ideas they care to share. I have been thinking of moving my press to a standing setup and would like something about that high for that purpose. I know I can get 36 inch high cabinets and use a strong mount. I am just looking for other ideas.

AlanG

01-06-2010, 11:29

Check w/ restaurant supply houses (there's one off of 6th Ave & I-225 in Aurora) as some of the work tables they have could be that height or at least have adjustable feet that you could always replace with a piece of all-thread and adjust to 42". The other option would be to either make/have made a custom bench/table.

GioaJack

01-06-2010, 11:42

My current benches are 40 inches high which make them perfect for me to load either standing or sitting on a high padded breakfast bar type chair.

I don't use a strong mount on any of my presses since the bench height and construction design negate the need for it. They are pretty cool but I just don't need them.

Wait a minute... aren't you a contractor? What the hell are you doing asking about buying benches... go buy some materials and custom build your own. Good grief... people hire you to do stuff like that!

It ain't a dialysis machine... no one is gonna live or die if it isn't perfect... we'll just make fun of you. :supergrin:

Jack

IndyGunFreak

01-06-2010, 12:25

I'd have to agree, this shouldn't be a difficult project for you. I'm pretty much a wood working/building idiot, and I built a bench off some easy plans I found on the internet(little pricey, but it was so simple for a retread like me). I'm sure someone w/ some sense for this sort of thing, could adapt them.

http://www.strongtie.com/ftp/fliers/DIY-PROJECT08.pdf

Colorado4Wheel

01-06-2010, 12:28

Actually, I am looking for ideas of stuff I can make. I don't really want to make anything too fancy as I may very well change my mind later. I will probably laminate a top of some sort. I am curious about ideas for legs and shelving perhaps under the legs. I am feeling a little cheap right now as well.

Bob2223

01-06-2010, 13:29

I found thick laminated table top that came from a school, sometimes the used furniture stores has similar stuff.
I used 2x4s for the frame then bolted it to the wall and anchored it to the concrete floor, it doesn't move. I made it 43 high for standing but have a adjustable bar stool that works for sitting.
Feeling cheap? I've seen your set up, just frame under it raise it up and get oak 1x6 or 8 or 10,,trim boards. :supergrin:

Bob

unclebob

01-06-2010, 13:32

Make a 2x6 base that the cabinets would sit on and attached too. Or any other 2x that well get you too the height you want Im sure I do not not need too tell you how too trim it. You can also do what I did for the top. I used 2x12 and 2x6 glued together and bolted together, than I screwed two sheets of MDF. The MDF that takes two men and a boy too pickup. On top of that I glued Formica on top and sides. I used butcher-block style. At one time I used white but the light shining on it would almost blind me. That well get you about 3” more.

PCJim

01-06-2010, 13:32

C4W, I built my main bench from 2x4s and (I think) 5/8" BC plywood, 2x4 legs, all assembled with 1/4" lagbolts. It's a full 8' long and I believe 18" deep, appx 38" off the floor. Exact measurements tonight. Top, and a single full length shelf, are plywood and are affixed with coarse thread sheetrock screws. Very simple construction for anyone half-proficient with a table saw. Plans were from scratch.

I tapped into an adjacent GFIC electric outlet using flex conduit and wired duplex outlets on the front of the bench as well as the light switch for the overhead flourescent light.

I took pics during frame construction and will see if I still have them tonight. If so, I'll post tonight.

unclebob

01-06-2010, 13:45

Actually, I am looking for ideas of stuff I can make. I don't really want to make anything too fancy as I may very well change my mind later. I will probably laminate a top of some sort. I am curious about ideas for legs and shelving perhaps under the legs. I am feeling a little cheap right now as well.

Okay, I used 4x4 for the legs, dado the legs I ran 2x6 for the front top than 2x4 on the sides and back for the top and bottom on the sides and back plywood. Also ran 2x4 from the top two bottoms also dado in. I also on use lag bolts too hold it all together. That way I could change things around and also where if need be I could take it all apart too move.
For the Shelves I used a sheet of plywood. On all of the uprights I used the metal strips for shelving and metal clips. That way I could change the height if need be. I made doors for the front. I used 1X12” Than stained inside and out, and put a durable coat on top of that. I do not remember what I used.

Colorado4Wheel

01-06-2010, 13:56

Okay, I used 4x4 for the legs, dado the legs I ran 2x6 for the front top than 2x4 on the sides and back for the top and bottom on the sides and back plywood. Also ran 2x4 from the top two bottoms also dado in. I also on use lag bolts too hold it all together. That way I could change things around and also where if need be I could take it all apart too move.
For the Shelves I used a sheet of plywood. On all of the uprights I used the metal strips for shelving and metal clips. That way I could change the height if need be. I made doors for the front. I used 1X12” Than stained inside and out, and put a durable coat on top of that. I do not remember what I used.

Do you mind snapping a picture?

unclebob

01-06-2010, 14:59

Do you mind snapping a picture?

Only if you would like too buy me a camera. I well see if I can get my friend to take a picture. It might be a couple of days if he well do it.

Toml

01-06-2010, 15:16

This plan has been around for a while: http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

GioaJack

01-06-2010, 16:11

Only if you would like too buy me a camera. I well see if I can get my friend to take a picture. It might be a couple of days if he well do it.

WHAT! You mean a Dillon 650 doesn't come with a built in camera... I'm stunned, I thought Dillon machines made you dinner and cut the grass.

Huh, too bad. The LNL not only comes with a camera but they also send you a very nice looking young lady to actually take the pictures for you. That's what I no BS customer service. :supergrin:

Jack

Hoser

01-06-2010, 17:05

I thought Dillon machines made you dinner and cut the grass.

Mine do... Breakfast also.

unclebob

01-06-2010, 17:08

WHAT! You mean a Dillon 650 doesn't come with a built in camera... I'm stunned, I thought Dillon machines made you dinner and cut the grass.

Huh, too bad. The LNL not only comes with a camera but they also send you a very nice looking young lady to actually take the pictures for you. That's what I no BS customer service. :supergrin:

Jack

Okay Jack you can wake up from your dream now. Take a couple more of those red pills and maybe you well fill better in the morning. Or should we send the little men in white coats too see you? If you ask them real nice maybe they well let you play with the siren.:tongueout:

dudel

01-06-2010, 18:09

I built my bench, so it's whatever height I wanted. I tend to reload from a bar stool. I'd have to go measure the bench height. When I was doing most of the loading on a Rock Chucker, I didn't want to be standing for hours. Haven't done an extended loading session on the 550b, so I'm not sure if sitting or standing will be the routine.

I'll check on the bench height though.

norton

01-06-2010, 20:00

I built my bench 37" tall. I generally load standing. Of course it depends on what type of press you use, and how tall you are. I use both a single stage, a Turret and a Progressive-one is green one is blue and one is grey.

PCJim

01-06-2010, 20:32

Here are some photos of my primary bench. Constructed of 2x4s and 5/8" plywood, assembled with 1/4" lag bolts & screws, and sheetrock screws. The bench is 96"L x 24"D x 36"H. The single shelf is the same size as the top, notched at the legs and is 15 1/2" off the ground.

Made from "scratch", one sheet of plywood and 5 or 6 2x4x8's, and lag bolts and screws of various lengths.

MoNsTeR

01-06-2010, 22:29

4x4s for legs, 2x4s everywhere else, 3/4" plywood top, very simple construction. I believe I built it 37" or so high, which works fine for me to load standing. Of course you can easily cut the legs, and all the other dimensions, to whatever length you like.

robin303

01-06-2010, 22:40

Your in luck my friend. I'm a cabinet maker and I can design something for you off my CAD program. It can be simple or something that someone would die for. :supergrin: Heck you helped me out. :cool:

Bones507

01-07-2010, 04:44

Mine is 45 inches high with 3 shelves and i have the floor space also. Im tall so i wanted something that would be easier on the back, i used 2x4,s and 1/2 inch boards and not really much else. Its bolted to the wall and is sturdy, only took me like 2 hours to put together and im no carpenter by any means. If i get a chance i will take a few photos and post.

Colorado4Wheel

01-07-2010, 09:24

Your in luck my friend. I'm a cabinet maker and I can design something for you off my CAD program. It can be simple or something that someone would die for. :supergrin: Heck you helped me out. :cool:

I use Autocad 2000. What are you using? Here is the thing. I look at all the 2X4 stuff and I just don't want it to look that "Garage Like". But at the same time I don't want to put a ton of money into it either.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r215/98sr20ve/DSC_3283.jpg

That is what I have now. I can get 30 inch wide by 36 tall cabinets and raise them off the ground to get my 42 inch height. Thats easy. Each Cabinet would cost $150. Toe kick a little more becasue it's going to need to be about 6 inch's high. So for $300 I get two cabinets that match. Spread them out 30" and connect them with some adjustable shelving. It would be 90" wide with a cabinet on each end open in the middle. Then it would match. Add a little to the 300 to make the top. $400 at the most. So thats my upper end. But, if i can come up with something appealing that will be more "wife friendly" then bare wood that is less then $300 it would make sence. I just can't wrap my head around a plan that looks decent but wouldn't cost a lot more then what I can do with some basic Aristocraft cabinets and a cheap top. I was thinking of building a 2X2 frame (much like peoples 2X4/4X4 stuff) and then finish the outside with some 1X3 pine. So it would end up plenty strong once it's glued and nailed to eachother. I need to price some material. This would go right next to the other setup so I want it to look decent.

PCJim

01-07-2010, 10:23

Steve, where is your additional bench going to be located? There doesn't look like there's any room next to your current setup, or is that to be replaced? I completely understand your desire to have the finished product meet the necessary "approvals" - life could be a real b**** if it doesn't "pass". My setup is in the garage (she always says it's my garage) and admittedly would NOT work in your circumstance.

robin303

01-07-2010, 15:51

Howdy Steve, I see two ways to do it. You can raise the top or the bottom. I would raise the top where you can incorporate drawer space using the KV slides. Do you have a table saw. You can get a Formica top with a 6” backsplash at 8’ and then cut. If you get unpainted cabinets in which likely will be paint and stain grade birch you can use Maple for your drawer fronts if you stain or you can get ¾ 4x8 sheet of birch plywood for about $35 at Homer. The only thing that I see is I would double the counter top with ¾ in the knee space area because it would be a little springy. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

Colorado4Wheel

01-07-2010, 15:59

Steve, where is your additional bench going to be located? There doesn't look like there's any room next to your current setup, or is that to be replaced? I completely understand your desire to have the finished product meet the necessary "approvals" - life could be a real b**** if it doesn't "pass". My setup is in the garage (she always says it's my garage) and admittedly would NOT work in your circumstance.

That current setup sits in a popout in my foundation wall. Just to the left of it is another wall about 20' long.

Robin303.

Thanks for the ideas.

WiskyT

01-07-2010, 17:29

Mine looks like some amature made it with a handsaw, some 2x6, and sheetrock screws. It looks very "industrial" if it were in a converted loft. That it came out level, is one of my greatest achievements.

GioaJack

01-07-2010, 17:36

Mine looks like some amature made it with a handsaw, some 2x6, and sheetrock screws. It looks very "industrial" if it were in a converted loft. That it came out level, is one of my greatest achievements.

Level? Damn... and I spent all that money on custom 'square' bullet moulds. Wish I'd joined this forum earlier. :faint:

Jack

unclebob

01-07-2010, 18:14

Level? Damn... and I spent all that money on custom 'square' bullet moulds. Wish I'd joined this forum earlier. :faint:

Jack

:crying:

unclebob

01-07-2010, 19:12

Just got off the phone with my friend and he well come over between now and Sunday and take some pictures of my reloading table. Unless something should happen between now and then.

RustyFN

01-07-2010, 19:13

Steve just a thought, what about setting the cabinets on a base and raising up the whole set up.

Cobra64

01-07-2010, 19:41

My current benches are 40 inches high which make them perfect for me to load either standing or sitting on a high padded breakfast bar type chair.

I don't use a strong mount on any of my presses since the bench height and construction design negate the need for it. They are pretty cool but I just don't need them.

Wait a minute... aren't you a contractor? What the hell are you doing asking about buying benches... go buy some materials and custom build your own. Good grief... people hire you to do stuff like that!

It ain't a dialysis machine... no one is gonna live or die if it isn't perfect... we'll just make fun of you.
Jack

Exactly... I built a custom home 7 years ago and told the architect to leave the 5'' x 21' space below front porch open. These are 10" thick, steel reinforced, concrete foundation walls.

I detect 'Free Bullets' from Hornady... and where the hell did you get all those primers. HOARDER, HOARDER!!!

Jack

Cobra64

01-07-2010, 19:59

I detect 'Free Bullets' from Hornady... and where the hell did you get all those primers. HOARDER, HOARDER!!!

JackAbout a year ago, I only needed 5,000 each of SP & LP. At the time, the prices were still at arond $22.50, but supply was spotty, so I ordered 5,000 SP and 5,000 LP from three different suppliers who had them on backorder along with a variety of powder. About a month after I ordered, all three suppliers started shipping at around the same time, so I have a "hoarded" three year supply. :supergrin:

I forgot... yea, those are Hornady .451" 185 gr XTP that were bonused with the press. That stuff's really 'spensive in loaded form.

Cobra64

01-07-2010, 20:16

Actually, I am looking for ideas of stuff I can make. I don't really want to make anything too fancy as I may very well change my mind later. I will probably laminate a top of some sort. I am curious about ideas for legs and shelving perhaps under the legs. I am feeling a little cheap right now as well.On the loading bench, I used 3 sections of double laminated 2" x 6" lumber, with 1" plywood on top, and finished with 1/8" ABS.

I have been playing with the tape measure and decided that for me 38 inches is perfect for sitting and 45 is right for standing. I am short at 5.8 so I would think most people would go for several inches taller.

Memnok

01-08-2010, 23:17

I’m in the process of remodeling my small home office at the moment and I’m building a bench on the back wall. I decided to go with a 37” high bench after doing some searching on the net.

Most places I looked at recommended measuring distance from the ground to the top of your pant pocket, or the crease in your skin at the wrist with your hands resting at your side. For me, that was about 36”, but I went with 37” to get a bit more room underneath. I’ll take some photos when I get home.

He hired an illegal at $6.50 an hour to stripe the end of his driveway. :animlol:

Cobra64

01-09-2010, 00:04

how did you come up with 42 inches?

I have been playing with the tape measure and decided that for me 38 inches is perfect for sitting and 45 is right for standing. I am short at 5.8 so I would think most people would go for several inches taller.

I'm 5'8" tall also. Being a process oriented, business analyst, OCD type; for the sitting loading bench height, I sat in a height adjustable chair and got that adjusted right forst.

Then I mounted my press on a temporary horizontal surface to determine proper reloading comfort height factoring in the full press arm stroke. I did the same thing for my standing gunsmithing/cleaning bench factoring in bi-focal focal length for intricate work.

The same process should work for any work surface.

Other notes:

The shelf that my iPod player and powder scale is on is perfectly at eye level. I wired a duplex behind the IPod player to prevent wires all over the place. Another duplex right below it for a spare laptop.

My point to all this diatribe is to confirm that Steve is going about the planning process the right way in getting his bench height right for him, and I just wanted to add confusion to the mix. :rofl:

Colorado4Wheel

01-09-2010, 09:35

how did you come up with 42 inches?

I have been playing with the tape measure and decided that for me 38 inches is perfect for sitting and 45 is right for standing. I am short at 5.8 so I would think most people would go for several inches taller.

I am not 100% set on 42". But cabinets are ussually 30", 36" and 42". So 42" is just what I consider "standard. If you custom make them then it's doesn't matter. For instance in a Kitchen I will do a 36" sink area and a 42" upper bar stool area. These tie together well with a standard 6 inch backsplash.

Hoser

01-09-2010, 10:05

If you get too tall looking inside a case to verify powder can be a pain... Even worse if you have a strong mount.

He hired an illegal at $6.50 an hour to stripe the end of his driveway. :animlol:

There's not an inch of asphalt within almost a mile of my place. Real men live on dirt... oh, BTW, is the recession over... where can I get a job that pays $6.50 an hour. My God, talk about inflation. :dunno:

Jack

unclebob

01-09-2010, 10:17

I’m 6’2” my bench is 42” With the Dillon 550 and 650 with strong mount it is at the right height for me. My Mec 650 is a little too height and my Rock Chucker is a little too low.
Most of my loading is on the Dillon, so the other ones I can live with. About all I do with the Rock Chucker is depriming screwed up primers anyway. For The Mec 650 I have been trashing over the idea in building a box too stand on. Well see when I really start loading a couple of hundred rounds back on it too decide what I want too do.

Colorado4Wheel

01-09-2010, 10:47

If you get too tall looking inside a case to verify powder can be a pain... Even worse if you have a strong mount.

The point of a 42 inch high bench is not to use a strong mount. It looks like your 1050's are on a 36" cabinet. That puts them about the same height as a 550 on a strong mount. I am going to need to hold off on anything till I decide what if anything I do with my 550/casefeeder/whatever setup. If I get a 650 (just for discussion) I could set it up to be at my ideal height, no strong mount needed. There are plenty of ways to get the bullet tray where you want it with out buying a bullet tray/strong mount setup. I also find with the right countertop setup it does not flex. But a basic countertop with out proper support does flex a little to much and probably benifits from the strong mount. I may end up just ditching that whole idea and going with a more universal height of 38" (lets say), put the presses on strong mounts and then any single stage would work well on a stool. I will have to fiddle with all this before I make anything.

GioaJack

01-09-2010, 10:56

There is more than a little truth in the statement, 'Man plans and God laughs'. Although I've built, rebuilt and then re-re-built many benches over the years for some reason I always settled on 40" high. Seemed to work pretty well for me... keeping in mind that they only one who really notices the difference of an inch or two is a woman. (A totally unreasonable and unrealistic vertical height demand that only Ron Jeramy can meet so why even worry about it.)

When I settled on the workable height of my benches I was 6' 3 1/4 " tall and 25 pounds lighter. (Envision a Greek warrior but make him more macho to the 4th power and you'll get the idea.)

When I settled on the 40 inches I failed to take into account the unexpected... quick, severe and irreversible shrinkage. (Yes, that too but it has no effect on my BULLET LOADING, and you can't buy a pill to increase the height of your benches.)

I have learned first hand that when bone cancer causes all of your vertebrae, (except the cervical) to collapse you get shorter... a lot shorter.

My last doctor's visit revealed that I am apparently losing the battle of the vertical war... going from the manly height of 6' 3 1/4" to just slightly over 5' 11 1/2". Pretty soon I'll be able to walk under the coffee table and check for cobwebs

My highly educated Oncologist, (I base this assumption on all of the medical degrees hanging on his office wall... although I don't know why they're all in foreign languages) probably explained my prognosis best.

He asked me if I'd ever been 4' 6" tall... I explained to him that on my way to 6' 3 1/4 " I had probably zoomed through 4' 6". He glanced down at my chart, made some notes, looked up at me, initiated a well practiced and highly professional sigh and said... "Good, looks like you're going to get there again." I can't believe I actually pay this guy money!

When you build your benches don't worry as much about the 'perfect' height... worry more about how you'll learn to adapt to changing conditions.

One upside is that everyday a big screen flat panel looks more and more like a drive in movie screen. :whistling:

Colorado4Wheel

01-09-2010, 11:49

Yep, I was just thinking about that. I can always make a mount to raise a press but can't easily lower the bench. I know I don't want it 36". I want it higher so that I can stand and not stoop over at all. I also konw I can easily use some steel plate to make a mount to raise any press to the height I want. If I dont want to use steel, I just use LVL and stack and glue it. Uncle Bobs post about his many presses all require different heights really got me thinking.

unclebob

01-09-2010, 12:35

If you watch the videos on You Tube of all of these people reloading on different press’s. Just about everyone one of them are bending over when they pull the handle down. The height that I have for me I can look inside the case for powder and I do not do any bending. The Rock Chucker if I used it enough I could build like a strong mount for it. The shotgun reloading I’m just now getting back into skeet shooting. As for right now I do not plain on shooting that like I use too 25 years ago. So only shooting 75 to maybe 150 rds a week of skeet, I thank I can live with the height. Gun cleaning and other things that I do on the reloading table are okay. The biggest thing is the height for the Dillon 650. I got the post from the Dillon SL900 shot bucket. I cut about 3” off the top of that post so the case feeder was not so high and also that turned the case feeder too the left so that I have more room too open the cabinets in the back.
I also like using the strong mount that way nothing is over hanging in front of the tabletop. I’m forever, when I need too get something out of the bottom cabinet hitting my head on the Rock Chucker.
The bullet tray. The bullets are right there. Basically my left had just rest on the tray itself and feed bullets.
The strong mount is also a mount for my halogen light and underneath for the spent primer catcher I have loaded both ways with and without the strong mount. I like the strong mount and bullet tray.

Cobra64

01-09-2010, 13:08

The point of a 42 inch high bench is not to use a strong mount. It looks like your 1050's are on a 36" cabinet. That puts them about the same height as a 550 on a strong mount. I am going to need to hold off on anything till I decide what if anything I do with my 550/casefeeder/whatever setup. If I get a 650 (just for discussion) I could set it up to be at my ideal height, no strong mount needed. There are plenty of ways to get the bullet tray where you want it with out buying a bullet tray/strong mount setup. I also find with the right countertop setup it does not flex. But a basic countertop with out proper support does flex a little to much and probably benifits from the strong mount. I may end up just ditching that whole idea and going with a more universal height of 38" (lets say), put the presses on strong mounts and then any single stage would work well on a stool. I will have to fiddle with all this before I make anything.I'm with you on your thought process. I looked into a countertop as well, but I was concerned that they can't take the resizing torque pressure.

PCJim

01-09-2010, 13:22

Personally, standing for 2-3 hours at a time reloading is not what I wanted to be doing. My bench is just over 36" off the floor with the 550b mounted directly on top as could be seen in the pics. I am 6', and sit on a 30" bar stool (that's on a throw rug) when reloading. Left foot resting on the shelf, bullets to the left, cases to the right, and go at it at a leisurely 250-300rph. Makes for very comfortable reloading. The height is perfect for me for checking cases for powder.

Cobra64

01-09-2010, 13:35

Personally, standing for 2-3 hours at a time reloading is not what I wanted to be doing. My bench is just over 36" off the floor with the 550b mounted directly on top as could be seen in the pics. I am 6', and sit on a 30" bar stool (that's on a throw rug) when reloading. Left foot resting on the shelf, bullets to the left, cases to the right, and go at it at a leisurely 250-300rph. Makes for very comfortable reloading. The height is perfect for me for checking cases for powder.

Reminds of Simon & Garfunkle lyrics: "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am."

:rofl:

Colorado4Wheel

01-09-2010, 17:29

I'm with you on your thought process. I looked into a countertop as well, but I was concerned that they can't take the resizing torque pressure.

I am using a countertop now. The easy way to support it and make it very rigid is to make a simple bracket from below the press to some place on the wall behind it. This trianglulates the entire setup and makes it rigid. I used a spare piece of closet rod. If the countertop is going on top of a cabinet, just build the area where the press is going to mount up. Some 1 inch material connecting the top 1" of the cabinets, screw and glue them from the sides. You would have to hold them back a little because most cabinets have a bracket in every corner to attact the cabinet to the top in that area. But if you stiffen the top of the cabinet and attach that to your countertop it will translate into a much stiffer top as well. Even if it's not right under the press.

Cobra64

01-09-2010, 17:35

I am using a countertop now. The easy way to support it and make it very rigid is to make a simple bracket from below the press to some place on the wall behind it. This trianglulates the entire setup and makes it rigid. I used a spare piece of closet rod. If the countertop is going on top of a cabinet, just build the area where the press is going to mount up. Some 1 inch material connecting the top 1" of the cabinets, screw and glue them from the sides. You would have to hold them back a little because most cabinets have a bracket in every corner to attact the cabinet to the top in that area. But if you stiffen the top of the cabinet and attach that to your countertop it will translate into a much stiffer top as well. Even if it's not right under the press.Very true. The cabinets will provide the structural support and rigidity you need.

robin303

01-09-2010, 18:47

I say that 99% of kitchens counter heights or 36", 99% of bathroom counter heights or 32" and all the bar tops I have done are at 42" finished height.

Personally, standing for 2-3 hours at a time reloading is not what I wanted to be doing. My bench is just over 36" off the floor with the 550b mounted directly on top as could be seen in the pics. I am 6', and sit on a 30" bar stool (that's on a throw rug) when reloading. Left foot resting on the shelf, bullets to the left, cases to the right, and go at it at a leisurely 250-300rph. Makes for very comfortable reloading. The height is perfect for me for checking cases for powder.

The bottom cabinet was made about 33 years ago. When we lived in base housing. So being in the Air Force and the longest I ever stayed up too that point was 18 months in anyone place. Boy was I wrong on that one. Got here in 1976 and have been here ever since. So it was designed to be taken apart and reassemble. I could completely dissemble in too individual pieces or front, back, and two sides. And since I was living in base housing attaching it too the wall was out of the question.
At the time I only had the 4 Mec 650 and the Rock chucker presses. The Rock Chucker hangs down off the bench and since there were doors that would be opened. Using a2X4 across the front, I would not be able too open the doors all the way. So I used a 2X6 across the front. 4X4 Legs and 2X4 for the rest ¼” plywood for the sides and back 3/4” plywood for the two shelves.
The tabletop is like I said before 2x12 in front and 2x6 glued and bolted together. Then two layers of MDF on top. The insert in the middle if for different tools and press that I do not use all the time. All I do is pull the blank insert out and put the one with the tool already mounted in the slot and two bolts hold it in place. Unless you are interested in how I did it I well leave it at that.
The back cabinets are the second one I made. That is why the top and bottom cabinets are a different color. The top cabinet is attached too the tabletop. Since I could not attach it too the wall also. The door panels, I was going too make and put in stain glass of scenes like deer, ducks, etc. But never got around in doing it and lost interest.
Hope this gave you some ideas.
You are welcome. Glad too have done it.

Bones507

01-11-2010, 16:35

Heres my bench, its 45 inches high as im tall.

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/bones7765/Bench1.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/bones7765/Bench2.jpg

http://i734.photobucket.com/albums/ww349/bones7765/Bench3.jpg

Memnok

01-11-2010, 17:07

Ok, I finally got some photos of my bench. I've been remodeling my office, because it looked like a grenade went off in there. The sheet rock was all messed up, the ceiling had water damage from a leak in the old roof, the linoleum flooring did not cover the entire floor... It was not a good looking space.

I'm still working on it; I have baseboard to go around the floors, and I'll need some 1/4 round to cover the gaps where the walls meet, but the bench is done.

The sheet rock on the back wall came out completely. I ran some new romex, and added several outlets. Then I covered it with 3/4 in ply. I took good notes on where the studs were, so when it came time to install the bench, I was able to hit the studs every time.

The shelf on the bottom is 2x4 with a 3/4" sheet. It is bolted to the studs on the back wall and supported by legs in the front. The bench is supported on the back by a 2x4 bolted 6 times to the studs on the back wall. The front is all 4x6 beam.

http://cs.mlsr.net/Shooting/Bench/P1140568.JPG

The side supports were notched into the 2x4 on the back, and the 4x6 on the front. I also cut a 1 1/2 inch notch out of the 4x6 for the two sheets of 3/4" ply to sit so that it is recessed on the top.

http://cs.mlsr.net/Shooting/Bench/P1140570.JPG

When I bolted it all together I concealed all the hardware so nothing is seen in the front.

http://cs.mlsr.net/Shooting/Bench/P1140571.jpg

http://cs.mlsr.net/Shooting/Bench/P1140572.jpg

http://cs.mlsr.net/Shooting/Bench/P1140574.jpg

This thing is SOLID. With two layers of 3/4" ply on the top, that gives me a 1 1/2" deck, supported by the studs on the back, and a 4x6 beam on the front. I'm fairly certain that when I get the press bolted up there won't be any movement.

.

shotgunred

01-11-2010, 17:42

I am not a fan of the lag screw or strong tie look. You can make kitchen quality cabinets with a table saw, router and a Kreg pocket hole jig. I have finished my bathroom cabinets with the pocket hole jig and I am now working on the kitchen. After that I will have time to build some for reloading.

http://www.kregtool.com/index.php

unclebob

01-11-2010, 17:55

I am not a fan of the lag screw or strong tie look. You can make kitchen quality cabinets with a table saw, router and a Kreg pocket hole jig. I have finished my bathroom cabinets with the pocket hole jig and I am now working on the kitchen. After that I will have time to build some for reloading.

http://www.kregtool.com/index.php

That is very true but if you build it so if need be you can taken apart and put it back together multiple times. Cannot be mount it too the wall. Pocket holes are not going to hack it. And also since it cannot be mounted too the wall you need go with mass.

Colorado4Wheel

01-11-2010, 18:23

I think I have decided to make a simple table top at the height I want. Probably make it 24 inch's maybe even 30" deep. I have some spare wood right now. I would need to by some material for the legs and leg supports. I will probably do it like in this picture.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r215/98sr20ve/DSC_2922.jpg

All you need is some 1X3 paint grade Fir, Screw it through the 3/4 inch board from the top (with glue) I will make some 4X4 legs of some sort, paint them white. This way the legs are removeable. They can also be tightened. I will probably use some spare hardwood flooring for the top. It's prefinished. Glue and nail it to the 3/4 board. I have a ton of spare plywood so I can make it as thick as I want as long as I can find a edge I like. I don't want to invest a bunch of money in this thing. I just want to try loading while standing. If I make the top 36 deep I can put shelving behind it and still have a 24 inch deep work area. I will of course attach it to some sort of ledger board attached to my wall. I find getting it attached to the wall is the most important part. I used to reload using the table in that picture. It wobbled till I used two simple screws attached to simple removeable drywall anchors (not even in the stud). Once attached to the wall with those two drywall anchors it was very stable. I made that thing about 15 years ago out of some spare #2 Oak and some fir with some store bought legs. You can stand on it to this day and it still has strong legs because of that simple design for mounting the legs to the top.

Hoser

01-11-2010, 20:51

My bench top is 36 inches high. Add in the strong mount and its right around 42 inches from floor to shellplate on my 550.

I stand when I reload. I tried the sit deal, but didnt like it. For progressive reloading anyway. For single stage rifle, I can sit all day long.